501.BC Indonesia/6–1649: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
537. Gocus 727. Roem, Djuanda and Leimena came 7 p. m., 14th. I told them my idea of letter from Hatta to Van Royen transmitting copies three Committee 2 documents as set forth penultimate paragraph Gocus 7262 Repubs interested in exploring this idea and agreed meet with Van Royen, Gieben, Debeus and me afternoon 15th to consider this and bring many further amendments to three documents.
Attended dinner given 14th by Lovink for BFO delegates, Netherlands delegation and UNCI. Lovink made speech pledging support to early establishment sovereign USI. To me he insisted we must and will achieve goal no matter how many difficulties have to be met.
Roem and Leimena came noon 15th to report RepDel meeting had approved my idea above mentioned. We discussed timetable for submitting [Page 435] any agreed documents to Hatta and for procuring his signature to letter under reference.
Van Royen, Gieben, Debeus, Roem, Leimena and Pringgo Digdo met with me 3 hours afternoon 15th. Added some amendments to texts cease hostilities order and proclamation. Van Royen submitted Netherlands rewrite of regulations incorporating material which I believe was received from Hague 11th and from Netherlands military including highly contentious provisions. These were to be studied over night together with drafts I had prepared of exchange of letters between Hatta and Van Royen including specification of immutable elements of policy to be urged by Hatta on restored government Jogju.
Van Royen, Jacob, Gieben, Roem, Djuanda, Leimena and Pringgo worked with me today from 9 a. m. until 1 p. m.
Approval given, as far as delegations concerned, to six draft documents: (1) Cease hostilities order, (2) proclamation, (3) regulations governing implementation of agreement to cease hostilities, (4) description of contemplated Netherlands-Indonesian manual for military cooperation, (5) letter from Hatta to Van Royen specifying immutable elements of policy which government restored Jogja will urge, and (6) letter from Van Royen acknowledging Hatta’s communication. Texts these six documents following Gocus 728.3
Agreement on regulations and immutable points of policy reached only after considerable difficulty. Van Royen to submit six drafts to his government for consideration. RepDel left 3 p. m., today, for Bangka to seek Hatta’s approval thereto. RepDel returning Batavia night 17th with groups BFO leaders visiting Bangka tomorrow.
Agreed orally between groups meeting with me today that
- (a)
- Three principal documents when approved may be shown in closed UNCI meeting to invited BFO representatives for their information and comment, but texts are not subject to amendment by BFO;
- (b)
- Three principal documents will be considered confidential and exchange of letters secret;
- (c)
- If Netherlands Government finds necessary, it may reveal these five documents to Parliament in closed session;
- (d)
- Publicity may be given to three principal documents only when Repub Government restored Jogja is prepared submit documents to its Parliament for approval, and (e) BFO may participate in compilation manual.
It was further agreed orally that effort would be made to reach agreemtot between RepDel and Netherlands delegation 18th on memo setting forth conditions for Hague conference. Van Royen and Roem to decide before then whether they agree to BFO representatives participating [Page 436] in meeting under UNCI or UNCI chairman auspices to consider this document.
Manner in which Netherlands Government reacts to foregoing results Batavia negotiation may help answer some questions posed in Usgoc 382.4 At same time Department will see from documents that fair treatment, for Repub achieved therein. In matter of Jogja police, provision arms for first 600 police practically assured. Even if Netherlands should give no more, there should be sufficient weapons available from Repub adherent sources to meet need in residency.
Van Royen has this week been extreme in his criticism of Repubs alleging they are not meeting commitments when they ask that documents be open to some amendments after return government to Jogja and when they insist that these be kept confidential until submitted to Repub Parliament. If documents approved by both sides and agreement reached this week on round-table conditions, Netherlands military evacuation should follow shortly. Signed Cochran.